Whitgift, Trinity, Caterham, Ibstock, Emanuel, Alleyn’s or Dulwich?

[vmreboll]

Hi everyone!
We’re currently going through the 11+ process and considering Whitgift, Trinity, Caterham, Ibstock Place, Emanuel, Alleyn’s and Dulwich. Clapham Junction is our main base, so commuting is also something we’re taking into account.
Our son is academic, very sporty (particularly football), outgoing and sociable.
I know we’re considering quite a few schools, but they all have something we really like! We’ve visited all of them, and I’m finding it really difficult to work out which would be the best fit.
Academics and sport are obviously important, but so is the social side. I’d really like to know more about the families, the general social environment, the friendships and the overall school culture. What sort of crowd does each school attract? Is there a strong sense of community? Are the parents friendly and involved?
I’d love to hear honest opinions from parents who know these schools, particularly about the things you don’t necessarily see on an open day.
Thanks so much!

Best to see what offers given, and go to holders days for those with offers.
GCSEs options is important as not all schools are the same and languages. Football and sport fixtures could be reviewed.

The entire process of 11+ and communication during the process may give you as a family the flavour of the school. The offers day is more focus than open days and would be informative as potential pupils.

If I could choose schools again i would definitely ask/find out...

-Which languages are studied and what flexibility there is around this

• To see a year 7 timetable(eg some schools list a wide variety of arts subjects but have far less timetable space for them). Also find out when arts subjects start being dropped if this is important to your child.

-Which sports are offered and how much flexibility there is around them.

• how many teams actually play matches in year 8/9/10 etc
• Which subjects are available at GCSE and whether there is much flexibility over how many/which ones are studied.
• how clubs are organised. If children are in a school where there is no specific time(extended lunch) allocated to clubs many children do none.

Lastly, I would ensure my child sits comfortably within the cohort academically(nothing worse than being shoe horned in by tutors and always struggling) and go local where possible.